Proximity edge sensing

ABSTRACT

In various implementations, a sensor operates in a force sensing mode by determining an applied force based on a first change in capacitance between first and second electrodes related to compression of a compressible material positioned between while the third electrode functions as a shield and in a proximity sensing mode by sensing proximity of an object based on a second change in capacitance of the third electrode while the first and/or second electrodes function as a shield. In some implementations, a device has a cover glass including a surface having a display area, an edge surface, and a cavity; a touch sensing electrode oriented toward the surface; an electrode positioned in the cavity oriented toward the edge surface; and a processing unit operable to detect touch or proximity of an object to the edge surface based on a change in capacitance between the electrode and the object.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/817,786, filed Aug. 4, 2015, and entitled “Proximity Edge Sensing”,which is incorporated by reference in its entirety as if fully disclosedherein.

FIELD

The described embodiments relate generally to proximity sensing. Moreparticularly, the present embodiments relate to proximity and/or touchsensing of edges of an electronic device.

BACKGROUND

Many electronic devices include one or more input devices for receivinginput from a user and one or more output devices for providing output toa user. For example, input may be received via one or more keyboards,mice, track pads, buttons, knobs, microphones, and so on. By way ofanother example, output may be provided via one or more display screens,speakers, haptic devices, and so on.

Some electronic devices may include a touch screen in order to receiveinput and/or provide output. Such a touch screen may include a displaythat presents output in a display area and one or more touch sensingelements that detect touch in the display area. As such, a user may beable to interact with elements of a graphical user interface presentedon the display by touch.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to proximity and/or touch sensing ofedges of an electronic device.

In various implementations, a combined proximity and force sensor mayinclude first and second electrodes separated by a compressible materialand an additional third electrode. The combined proximity and forcesensor may operate in a force sensing mode by determining an appliedforce based on a first change in capacitance between the first andsecond electrodes related to compression of the compressible materialwhile the third electrode functions as a force sensing ground shield.The combined proximity and force sensor may operate in a proximitysensing mode by sensing proximity of an object based on a second changein capacitance of the third electrode while the first and/or secondelectrodes functions as a proximity sensing ground shield.

In some implementations, an electronic device may include a touchdisplay with a cover glass surface having a display area, a cover glassedge surface, and a cavity formed around a perimeter of the touchdisplay. One or more capacitive or other touch sensing electrodes may bepositioned on the cover glass opposite the cover glass surface in thedisplay area, oriented toward the cover glass surface. The cover glassmay also include an opaque material positioned in the cavity and one ormore electrodes positioned on the opaque material, oriented toward thecover glass edge surface. The electronic device may detect touch orproximity to the cover glass edge surface based on a change incapacitance of the electrode.

In various embodiments, a combined proximity and force sensor mayinclude a first electrode, a second electrode, a compressible materialseparating the first and second electrodes, and a third electrodecoupled to the first electrode. The combined proximity and force sensormay operable to produce a first signal indicating a first change incapacitance between the first and second electrodes related tocompression of the compressible material while the third electrodefunctions as a force sensing ground shield, the first signal usable by aprocessing unit to determine an applied force, and produce a secondsignal indicating a second change in capacitance of the third electrodewhile the first electrode functions as a proximity ground shield, thesecond signal usable by the processing unit to sense proximity of anobject. The combined proximity and force sensor may produce the firstand second signals at different times.

In some examples, the combined proximity and force sensor may furtherinclude a fourth electrode and the second change in capacitance may be amutual capacitance between the third electrode and the fourth electrode.The fourth electrode may be disposed on at least one of a cavity in acover glass of an electronic device or an input mechanism of theelectronic device. The electronic device may incorporate the combinedproximity and force sensor.

In various examples, the third electrode may be multiple thirdelectrodes positioned at select locations around a perimeter of a coverglass and the combined proximity and force sensor may be operable to thecombined proximity and force sensor is operable to produce signalsindicating changes in capacitance for each of the multiple thirdelectrodes separately.

In some examples, the second electrode may function as an additionalproximity ground shield while the combined proximity and force sensorproduces the second signal. In various examples, the combined proximityand force sensor may be a gasket. In some examples, the proximity may beto an input mechanism of an electronic device. The input mechanism maybe adjacent to the combined proximity and force sensor.

In some embodiments, an electronic device may have a cover glassincluding a cover glass surface having a display area, a cover glassedge surface, and a cavity. The electronic device may also have acapacitive touch sensing electrode positioned on the cover glassopposite the cover glass surface in the display area, oriented towardthe cover glass surface; an electrode positioned in the cavity, orientedtoward the cover glass edge surface; and a processing unit connected tothe electrode that is to detect touch or proximity of an object to thecover glass edge surface based on a change in capacitance between theelectrode and the object.

In some examples, electronic device may further include an opaquematerial positioned in the cavity. The electrode may be positioned onthe opaque material.

In various examples, the electrode may be laminated to a flexiblecircuit positioned in the cavity. In some examples, the electrode may bedisposed on a non-conductive structure that is adhered to the cavity. Invarious examples, the electronic device may also include an antennaelement positioned in the cavity and the electrode may be disposed on asupport structure of the antenna element positioned in the cavity. Insome examples, the electrode may include at least one of conductivepaste, sputter conductor, indium tin oxide, or metal foil applied to theopaque material.

In some examples, the electrode may be multiple electrodes and theelectronic device may be operable to detect touch of an areacorresponding to or proximity to one of the multiple electrodes based ona change in capacitance of the respective electrode.

In various embodiments, a method of controlling a combined proximity andforce sensor may include operating the combined proximity and forcesensor in a force sensing mode by determining an applied force based ona first change in capacitance between a first electrode and a secondelectrode while using a third electrode as a force sensing groundshield, operating the combined proximity and force sensor in a proximitysensing mode by sensing proximity of an object based on a second changein capacitance of the third electrode while using the first electrode asa proximity sensing ground shield, and switching the combined proximityand force sensor between the proximity sensing mode and the forcesensing mode.

In various examples, switching the combined proximity and force sensorbetween the proximity sensing mode and the force sensing mode mayinclude performing combined proximity and force sensing cycles wherein aportion of each proximity and force sensing cycle includes operating fora first period of time in the force sensing mode and a second period oftime in the proximity sensing mode.

In some examples, the method may further include changing a displayedelement of a user interface based on the detected proximity. Theproximity may be to an input mechanism and the displayed element of theuser interface may be alterable by manipulating the input mechanism.

In various examples, the method may also include initiating an actionbased on a combination of the sensed proximity and a detected touchinput.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detaileddescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein likereference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of an example electronic device thatincludes proximity sensing.

FIG. 2 shows sensing proximity or touch to an input mechanism and/oredge of the electronic device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a combination of sensing touch on a display and proximityor touch to an edge of the electronic device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows sensing movement of proximity or touch on an edge of theelectronic device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of an example of the electronicdevice of FIG. 1, taken along the line A-A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 shows a front view of the third electrode illustrated in FIG. 5with other components removed for clarity.

FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of an example of the electronicdevice of FIG. 1, taken along the line B-B of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 shows a block diagram illustrating example functionalrelationships between example components of the electronic device ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 9 shows a flow chart illustrating an example method for controllinga combined proximity and force sensor. This example method may beperformed by the electronic device of FIGS. 1-4, 5-6, and 8.

FIG. 10 shows a flow chart illustrating an example method for altering agraphical user interface based on proximity to an input mechanism. Thisexample method may be performed by the electronic device of FIGS. 1-8.

FIG. 11 shows a flow chart illustrating an example method for performingactions using combined touch screen and proximity or edge touch input.This example method may be performed by the electronic device of FIGS.1-8.

FIG. 12 shows a flow chart illustrating an example method for performingactions using moving edge proximity or touch input. This example methodmay be performed by the electronic device of FIGS. 1-8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodimentsillustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood thatthe following descriptions are not intended to limit the embodiments toone preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to coveralternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included withinthe spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by theappended claims.

The present disclosure relates to proximity and/or touch sensing ofedges of an electronic device. In various implementations, a combinedproximity and force sensor may include first and second electrodesseparated by a compressible material and an additional third electrode.The combined proximity and force sensor may operate in a force sensingmode by determining an applied force based on a first change incapacitance between the first and second electrodes related tocompression of the compressible material. In this force sensing mode,the third electrode may function as a force sensing ground shield. Thecombined proximity and force sensor may operate in a proximity sensingmode by sensing proximity of an object based on a second change incapacitance of the third electrode. In this proximity sensing mode, thefirst and/or second electrodes may function as a proximity sensingground shield. In this way, components of a combined proximity and forcesensor may be used to detect both touch and force by using thecomponents to perform different functions at different times.

The detected proximity may be used in a variety of ways. The proximitysensing mode may be used to detect when a user's body part (such as afinger) or a conductive stylus is proximate to an input device, an edgeof a cover glass of a touch or other display, various edges of the coverglass or another edge of an electronic device, and so on.

In various examples of such implementations, the change in capacitanceof the third electrode in the proximity sensing mode may result from theproximity of a user's body part to the third electrode. The capacitancemay be between the third electrode and the user's body part and/or afourth electrode. Such a fourth electrode may be disposed on the inputmechanism of an electronic device, a cavity in the cover glass, and soon.

In some implementations, an electronic device may include a touchdisplay. The touch display may include a cover glass with a cover glasssurface having a display area, a cover glass edge surface, and a cavityformed around a perimeter of the touch display. One or more capacitiveor other touch sensing electrodes may be positioned on the cover glassopposite the cover glass surface in the display area, oriented towardthe cover glass surface. The cover glass may also include an opaquematerial positioned in the cavity and one or more electrodes positionedon the opaque material, oriented toward the cover glass edge surface.The electronic device may detect touch or proximity to the cover glassedge surface based on a change in capacitance of the electrode. In thisway, touch and/or proximity to the edge of the electronic device may beutilized as input in addition to touch to the display area.

The electrode may be positioned on the opaque material in a variety ofways. In some examples, the electrode may be laminated to a flexiblecircuit and/or disposed on a non-conductive structure positioned in thecavity. In other examples, an antenna element may be positioned in thecavity and the electrode may be disposed on a support structure of theantenna element. In still other examples, the electrode may beconductive material directly applied to the opaque material, such asconductive paste, sputter conductor, metal foil, and so on.

In various implementations, a combined proximity and force sensor may becontrolled by operating in a force sensing mode, operating in aproximity sensing mode, and switching between the force sensing mode andthe proximity sensing mode. Switching between the force sensing mode andthe proximity sensing mode may include performing combined proximity andforce sensing cycles wherein a portion of each cycle includes operatingfor a first period of time in the force sensing mode and a second seriesof time in the proximity sensing mode.

In the present disclosure, determination of applied force may refer todetermining pressure exerted by an object to a surface or other object.Sensing of proximity may refer to sensing that an object is touching asurface or other object or is nearby to the surface or other object.

These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to FIGS.1-12. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that thedetailed description given herein with respect to these Figures is forexplanatory purposes only and should not be construed as limiting.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an example electronic device 100 thatincludes proximity sensing. The electronic device 100 may include ahousing 101, a touch display 102 (which, with reference to FIG. 5, mayinclude a cover glass 524, touch sensing electrodes 517, displaycomponents, and so on) with a cover glass edge surface 103, and/or oneor more input mechanisms 104 and 105. The electronic device 100 mayinclude one or more combined proximity and force sensors and/or otherproximity and touch sensors operable to detect touch or proximity to thecover glass edge surface 103 and/or an edge of the housing 101.

In some implementations, the one or more combined proximity and forcesensors and/or other proximity and touch sensors may be utilized todetect that the electronic device 100 is currently worn. The electronicdevice 100 may operate in different states depending on whether or notthe electronic device 100 is being worn by a user and the combinedproximity and force sensors and/or other proximity and touch sensors maybe used to determine such. For example, proximity or touch of theelectronic device 100 to a user's wrist may be detected.

Although the electronic device 100 is illustrated as a wearable device,it is understood that this is an example. In various implementations,the electronic device 100 may be a laptop computing device, a desktopcomputing device, a fitness monitor, a digital media player, a cellulartelephone, a smart phone, a display, a printer, a wearable device, amobile computing device, a tablet computing device, and/or any otherelectronic device without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure.

Further, although the input mechanisms 104 and 105 are illustrated as aknob and a button, respectively, it is understood that these areexamples. In various implementations, the electronic device 100 mayinclude any number of input mechanisms of varying different typeswithout departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates sensing proximity or touch to an input mechanism 104or 105 and/or an edge of the electronic device 100 of FIG. 1. As shown,a user's finger 206 is proximate to the input mechanism 104. Theelectronic device 100 may utilize one or more combined proximity andforce sensors and/or other proximity/touch sensors to detect theproximity of the user's finger 206 and perform one or more actions basedthereon. For example, the electronic device 100 may change a displayedelement of a graphical user interface being presented to indicate howthat displayed element may be altered by manipulating the inputmechanism 104 (such as by turning the input mechanism 104, pressing theinput mechanism 104, turning the input mechanism 104 in a firstdirection or a second direction, and so on).

FIG. 3 illustrates a combination of sensing touch on a display andproximity or touch to an edge of the electronic device 100 of FIG. 1. Asshown, a user's finger 206 touches the edge 103 of the touch display 102and then slides across the touch display 102 in the direction 307. Theelectronic device 100 may utilize one or more combined proximity andforce sensors and/or other proximity/touch sensors to detect the touchof the user's finger 206 to the edge 103 and the touch screen 102 todetect the following slide in the direction 307. The electronic device100 may then perform one or more actions based thereon. For example, theelectronic device 100 may display a first menu when a sliding touch inthe direction 307 starting on the touch display 102 is detected but maydisplay a second menu when a sliding touch in the direction 307 startingon at the edge 103 is detected.

FIG. 4 illustrates sensing movement of proximity or touch on an edge ofthe electronic device 100 of FIG. 1. As shown, a user's finger 206 ismoved in a direction 408 along an edge of the electronic device 100(proximate to and/or touching) and adjacent to the edge 103 of the touchdisplay 102. The electronic device 100 may utilize one or more combinedproximity and force sensors and/or other proximity/touch sensors todetect the movement of the user's finger 206 in the direction 408 andperform one or more actions based thereon. For example, the electronicdevice 100 may increase a volume setting when movement of the user'sfinger 206 in the direction 408 (or decrease when movement of the user'sfinger 206 in an opposite direction) is detected. In another example,movement of the user's finger 206 in the direction 408 or in an oppositedirection may be used to scroll through a graphical menu in acorresponding direction.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an example of the electronic device100 of FIG. 1, taken along the line A-A of FIG. 1. The electronic device100 may include a combined proximity and force sensors 510 (which may beadjacent to the input mechanism 104) and/or a proximity/touch sensorthat utilizes an electrode 519.

In this example, the combined proximity and force sensors 510 may bepositioned between the touch display 102 and the housing 101. Thecombined proximity and force sensors 510 may be continuous around aninterior perimeter of the electronic device 100. The combined proximityand force sensors 510 may include a first electrode 513 separated from asecond electrode 515 by a compressible material 514 (such as silicone).The first electrode 513, second electrode 515, and compressible material514 may be coupled to each other and/or the housing 101 using layers ofadhesives 511 (such as pressure sensitive adhesive, ultraviolet curedadhesive, two part epoxy, or other adhesives). The combined proximityand force sensors 510 may also include a third electrode 512, which maybe coupled to the first electrode 513 and/or the touch display 102 usinglayers of adhesives 511.

The combined proximity and force sensors 510 may be operable in a numberof different modes. The components of the combined proximity and forcesensors 510 may function differently in the different modes. Forexample, the combined proximity and force sensors 510 may be operable ina force sensing mode and a proximity sensing mode.

In a force sensing mode, a first capacitance between the first electrode513 and the second electrode 515 may be measured (such as by theprocessing unit 840 of FIG. 8). A force exerted upon the touch display102 may cause the compressible material 514 to compress, allowing thefirst electrode 513 and the second electrode 515 to move closer to eachother. This may result in a change in the mutual capacitance between thefirst and second electrodes 513 and 515 and this change may be measuredand correlated to an amount of force applied to the cover glass surface523. Thus, the amount of the applied force may be determined.

For example, the combined proximity and force sensor 510 may produce afirst signal indicating the mutual capacitance between the first andsecond electrodes 513 and 515 (a first change in capacitance). Thisfirst signal may be transmitted to the processing unit 840 of FIG. 8,which may correlated the first signal to an amount of force applied tothe cover glass surface 523.

While in the force sensing mode, the third electrode 512 may function asa force sensing ground shield. The third electrode 512 may perform thisfunction by shielding the first and second electrodes 513 and 515 frommodulation caused by the object exerting the force (such as a user'sfinger or other body part, a conductive stylus, and so on), othercomponents such as an antenna element 520, and/or other interferences.By shielding the first and second electrodes 513 and 515, the thirdelectrode 512 may prevent or reduce interference with the mutualcapacitance between the first and second electrodes 513 and 515, whichmay make force determinations more accurate.

In a proximity sensing mode, a second capacitance of the third electrode512 may be measured. The second capacitance may be between the thirdelectrode 512 and an object proximate to the cover glass edge surface103, such as a user's finger or a conductive stylus. Alternatively, thesecond capacitance may be a mutual capacitance between the thirdelectrode 512 and a fourth electrode. The fourth electrode may be anelectrode 519, an electrode disposed on the input mechanism 104, and/oranother such electrode. An object proximate to the cover glass edgesurface 103 may change the capacitance between the third electrode 512and the fourth electrode.

For example, the combined proximity and force sensor 510 may produce asecond signal indicating the capacitance between the third electrode 512and the fourth electrode (a second change in capacitance). This secondsignal may be transmitted to the processing unit 840 of FIG. 8, whichmay use the second signal to sense proximity of an object.

While in the proximity sensing mode, the first and/or second electrodes513 and 515 may function as a proximity ground shield for the thirdelectrode 512. The first and/or second electrodes 513 and 515 mayperform this function by shielding the third electrode 512 fromparasitics from the first and second electrodes 513 and 515 and/orcomponents, and/or other interferences. By shielding the third electrode512, the first and/or second electrodes 513 and 515 may prevent orreduce interference with the capacitance of the third electrode 512,which may make proximity determinations more accurate.

The combined proximity and force sensor 510 may switch between the forcesensing mode and the proximity sensing mode. The combined proximity andforce sensor 510 may be operable in a cycle where for a first period oftime the combined proximity and force sensor 510 is operated in theforce sensing mode and for a second period of time the combinedproximity and force sensor 510 is operated in the proximity sensingmode.

For example, such a cycle may be approximately 20 milliseconds. Of the20 milliseconds, the combined proximity and force sensor 510 may beoperated in the force sensing mode for 15 milliseconds. Switching fromthe force sensing mode to the proximity sensing mode may take onemillisecond. The combined proximity and force sensor 510 may be operatedin the proximity sensing mode for 3 milliseconds. Switching from theproximity sensing mode to the force sensing mode may take onemillisecond, completing a cycle.

In some implementations, the combined proximity and force sensor 510 mayrepeatedly cycle between the force sensing mode and the proximitysensing mode. In other implementations, the combined proximity and forcesensor 510 may operate in the proximity sensing mode and then cycle onceproximity is detected. In still other implementations, the combinedproximity and force sensor 510 may operate in the force sensing mode andmay cycle once force is detected.

In various implementations, one or more portions of the combinedproximity and force sensor 510 may function as a gasket for theelectronic device 100. Such a gasket may be a seal between the touchdisplay 102 and the housing 101 and/or between other components. Thisseal may prevent contaminants such as liquids or dust from entering theelectronic device 100.

For example, FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of the third electrode 512illustrated in FIG. 5 with other components removed for clarity. Theelectrode 512 may be a portion of a larger electrode 630 that alsoincludes a portion 631 (which may be formed of the same material as theelectrode 512 or a different material) and forms a perimeter adjacent tothe touch display 102 within the housing 101. The electrode 512 may beseparated from the portion 631 such that the electrode 512 may be usedseparately from the portion 631 for proximity sensing but electrode 512and the portion 631 may be located sufficiently proximate to each otherthat the larger electrode 630 as a whole is operable to function as aforce sensing grounding shield for any first and second electrodes 513and 515 positioned beneath the larger electrode 630.

Although the electrode 512 is illustrated as a single discrete portionof the larger electrode, it is understood that this is an example. Invarious implementations, multiple electrodes 512 may be utilized thatare positioned at select locations as part of the larger electrode.Proximity or touch to each of the multiple electrodes 512 may beseparately measured such that proximity at and/or touch to various edgesof the electronic device 100 may be determined. In other words, signalsindicating changes in capacitance for each of the multiple electrodes512 may be produced separately and transmitted to a processing unit todetermine proximity to the each multiple electrodes 512 separatelythereby.

Further, although a single first electrode 513, second electrode 515,and compressible material 514 are illustrated and described above withrespect to FIG. 5, it is understood that this is an example. In variousimplementations, multiple first electrodes 513, second electrodes 515,and compressible materials 514 may be configured between the touchdisplay 102 and the housing 101 in order to determine force applied atdifferent areas.

The electrode 512 may be separated from the portion 631 by one or moregaps such that the electrode 512 and the portion 631 are electricallyisolated from each other. The gaps may be configured such that thelarger electrode as a whole is operable to function as a force sensinggrounding shield for any first and second electrodes 513 and 515positioned beneath the larger electrode 630 without any such gapsimpairing such shielding.

Returning to FIG. 5, a proximity/touch sensor included in the electronicdevice 100 may include the electrode 519. The touch display 102 mayinclude a cover glass 524 (such as a cover glass made of sapphire,glass, and/or other such materials) having a cover glass surface 523.One or more touch sensing electrodes 517 may be positioned on the coverglass 524 opposite the cover glass surface 523 in a display area 516,oriented toward the cover glass surface 523. The touch sensingelectrodes 517 may operate as capacitive touch sensors, ultrasonic touchsensors, and/or utilize any touch sensing technology. The display area516 may be an area of the touch display 102 where images (e.g., a userinterface, photographs, applications, and so on) may be presented andviewed through the cover glass surface 523.

An opaque material 518 (such as black ink) may be disposed on an area ofthe cover glass 524 outside the display area 516 in order to blockvarious components from view. Such components may include an antennaelement 520 mounted on a support structure 521 positioned in a cavity522 of the cover glass 524. Such components may also include theelectrode 519 positioned in the cavity 522 on the opaque material 518.

The electrode 519 may be oriented differently from the touch sensingelectrode(s) 517. As shown, the electrode 519 may be oriented toward thecover glass edge surface 103 instead of the cover glass surface 523.

A capacitance of the electrode 519 may be measured (such as by theprocessing unit 840 of FIG. 8). The capacitance of the electrode 519 maychange based on proximity or touch of an object (such as a user's fingeror a conductive stylus) to the edge 103. As such, the measuredcapacitance of the electrode 519 may be used to detect when the objectis touching and/or proximate to the edge 103.

The electrode 519 may be a number of electrodes positioned variouslyaround the cover glass 524 in the cavity 522 such that touch and/orproximity at various points around the cover glass edge surface 103 maybe determined. For example, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of theelectronic device 100 of FIG. 1, taken along the line B-B of FIG. 1,showing the underside of the touch display 102. FIG. 7 illustrates theopaque material 518, the electrodes 519, the display area 516, and thetouch sensing electrodes 517. As shown, the electrodes 519 may beelectrically coupled to a flex circuit 733 that is bonded to the touchdisplay 102 and/or the housing 101 by signal lines 732 (which mayinclude and/or couple to traces, hot bar, anisotropic conductive filmpad, indium tin oxide, board-to-board connectors, zero insertion forceconnectors, and so on).

Returning again to FIG. 5, the electrode 519 is shown as directlyapplied to the opaque material 518 in the cavity 522. In someimplementations, the electrode 519 may be conductive paste (such assilver paste), sputter conductor, indium tin oxide, metal foil, or othersuch material applied to the opaque material 518.

However, it is understood that this is an example and the electrode 519may be disposed in the cavity 522 by other mechanisms without departingfrom the scope of the present disclosure. In one example, the electrode519 may be disposed on a non-conductive structure (such as a cylindricalstructure) positioned in the cavity 522. In another example, theelectrode 519 may be laminated to (and/or otherwise disposed on) a flexcircuit positioned in the cavity 522.

In yet another example, the electrode 519 may be disposed on the supportstructure 521 with the antenna element 520. In such an example, theelectrode 519 may be formed on the support structure 521 by variousprocesses such as sintering, physical vapor deposition, ink nozzle, andso on. Further, in such an example, various techniques may be utilizedto prevent or reduce interference between the electrode 519 and theantenna element 520. In some cases, various forms of shielding may beused to prevent or reduce interference between the electrode 519 and theantenna element 520. Additionally or alternatively, the electrode 519and the antenna element 520 may be operated at different times,different frequencies, and so on to prevent or reduce interferencebetween the electrode 519 and the antenna element 520.

Although FIG. 5 is illustrated and described as including both thecombined proximity and force sensor 510 the proximity/touch sensor thatutilizes the electrode 519, it is understood that this is an example. Invarious implementations, the electronic device may include one of thesewithout including both and/or may include other force sensors, proximitysensors, touch sensors, and so on.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating example functional relationshipsbetween example components of the electronic device 100 of FIG. 1. Theelectronic device 100 may include one or more processing units 840, oneor more communication components 842 (which may utilize the antennaelement 520), one or more non-transitory storage media 841 (which maytake the form of, but is not limited to, a magnetic storage medium;optical storage medium; magneto-optical storage medium; read onlymemory; random access memory; erasable programmable memory; flashmemory; and so on), and/or one or more input/output components 843. Theinput/output component 843 may be able to receive input and/or provideoutput via one or more input/output devices such as the input mechanism104 and 105, the touch display 102, the combined proximity and forcesensor 510, and so on.

In some implementations, the combined proximity and force sensor 510and/or other sensors may produce one or more signals indicating changesin capacitance between various electrodes. These signals may betransmitted to the processing unit 840 (which may be operably connectedthereto, such as via the flex circuit 733). The processing unit 840 maycorrelate these changes in capacitance to an amount of force applied toa cover glass surface of the touch display 102, detect proximity basedon these changes in capacitance, and so on.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating an example method 900 forcontrolling a combined proximity and force sensor. This example method900 may be performed by the electronic device of FIGS. 1-4, 5-6, and 8.

At 910, a combined proximity and force sensor may be operated in a forcesensing mode. For example, the combined proximity and force sensor maydetermine an applied force based on a first change in capacitancebetween a first electrode and a second electrode while using a thirdelectrode as a force sensing grounding shield.

At 920, the combined proximity and force sensor may switch between theforce sensing mode and a proximity sensing mode. The combined proximityand force sensor may switch between the force sensing and proximitysensing modes any time the combined proximity and force sensor isoperated in one of the modes and is then operated in the other mode. Insome examples, the combined proximity and force sensing cycles may beperformed wherein a portion of each combined proximity and force sensingcycle includes operating for a first period of time in the force sensingmode and a second period of time in the proximity sensing mode.

In some implementations, the combined proximity and force sensor mayrepeatedly cycle between the force sensing mode and the proximitysensing mode. In other implementations, the combined proximity and forcesensor may operate in the proximity sensing mode and then cycle onceproximity is detected. In still other implementations, the combinedproximity and force sensor may operate in the force sensing mode and maycycle once force is detected.

At 930, the combined proximity and force sensor may be operated in theproximity sensing mode. For example, the combined proximity and forcesensor may sense proximity of an object based on a second change incapacitance of the third electrode while using the first electrodeand/or the second electrode as a proximity sensing ground shield.

Although the example method 900 is illustrated and described asincluding particular operations performed in a particular order, it isunderstood that this is an example. In various implementations, variousorders of the same, similar, and/or different operations may beperformed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

For example, the example method 900 is illustrated as a linear sequence.However, in various implementations the combined proximity and forcesensor may be operated in either the force sensing mode as shown at 910or the proximity sensing mode as shown at 920 and then switched to theother mode as shown at 930 at any time without departing from the scopeof the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating an example method 1000 for alteringa graphical user interface based on proximity to an input mechanism.This example method 1000 may be performed by the electronic device ofFIGS. 1-8.

At 1010, a graphical user interface may be displayed. The graphical userinterface may include one or more displayed elements.

At 1020, proximity to an input mechanism may be detected. The proximitymay be the proximity of an object, such as a user's finger or aconductive stylus, to the input mechanism. The input mechanism may beone or more knobs, buttons, keys, touch surfaces, and/or any other inputmechanism (e.g., the input mechanism 104 of FIG. 1).

At 1030, the graphical user interface may be altered. The graphical userinterface may be altered based on the detected proximity to the inputmechanism. For example, the alteration of the graphical user interfacemay include changing a displayed element of the graphical userinterface. The displayed element may be an element that is alterable bymanipulation of the input mechanism. The displayed element may bechanged to indicate alterations that may be made by differentmanipulations of the input mechanism, such as the alteration that mayoccur if the input mechanism is pressed as opposed to rotated, rotatedin a first direction as opposed to a second, and so on. By way ofanother example, the graphical user interface may not be presented(e.g., the touch display may be off) during a sleep or other low powerstate and may be altered to present the graphical user interface (or anunlock screen) when the proximity is detected.

Although the example method 1000 is illustrated and described asincluding particular operations performed in a particular order, it isunderstood that this is an example. In various implementations, variousorders of the same, similar, and/or different operations may beperformed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

For example, 1020 is illustrated and described as detecting proximity tothe input mechanism. However, in various implementations touch of theinput mechanism may be determined instead proximity to the inputmechanism without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating an example method 1100 forperforming actions using combined touch screen and proximity or edgetouch input. This example method 1100 may be performed by the electronicdevice of FIGS. 1-8.

At 1110, proximity or touch to an edge may be detected. The edge may bea cover glass edge, the edge of a touch display, the edge of anelectronic device adjacent to a touch display, and so on. The proximityor touch may be proximity of or touch by an object, such as a user'sfinger or a conductive stylus.

At 1120, one or more touches may be detected on a touch display. Thedetected touch may be touch by an object, such as a user's finger or aconductive stylus.

At 1130, an action may be performed or initiated based on the edge andtouch input (the detected proximity and touches). The action may beperformed or initiated based on a combination of the edge and the touchinput. The detected proximity and touches may be interpreted as one ormore gestures.

For example, a touch to an edge of a touch display may be detected thatthen slides partway across the touch display. An action performed orinitiated based on this detected touch can be different from an actionthat is performed or initiated when a sliding touch is detected on thetouch display without first detecting a touch on the edge.

Although the example method 1100 is illustrated and described asincluding particular operations performed in a particular order, it isunderstood that this is an example. In various implementations, variousorders of the same, similar, and/or different operations may beperformed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

For example, 1110 and 1120 are illustrated and described as separate,linear operations. However, in various implementations touch and/orproximity to an edge and touch on a touch display may occur and bedetected simultaneously and/or in various overlapping and/or otherorders without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating an example method 1200 forperforming actions using moving edge proximity or touch input. Thisexample method 1200 may be performed by the electronic device of FIGS.1-8.

At 1210, proximity or touch to an edge may be detected. The edge may bethe edge of a touch display, the edge of an electronic device adjacentto a touch display, and so on. The proximity or touch may be proximityof or touch by an object, such as a user's finger or a conductivestylus.

At 1220, movement of the proximity or touch may be detected. Themovement may be in one or more directions along the edge.

At 1230, an action may be performed or initiated based on the detectedmovement of the proximity or touch along the edge. The detected movementof the proximity or touch may be interpreted as one or more gestures.For example, a menu may be scrolled in a direction corresponding to thedirection of the detected movement of the proximity or touch along theedge. By way of another example, a volume may be increased or decreasedcorresponding to the direction of the detected movement of the proximityor touch along the edge.

Although the example method 1200 is illustrated and described asincluding particular operations performed in a particular order, it isunderstood that this is an example. In various implementations, variousorders of the same, similar, and/or different operations may beperformed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

For example, 1210 and 1220 are illustrated and described as separate,linear operations. However, in various implementations detection ofproximity or touch and detection of movement of such proximity or touchmay be performed simultaneously and/or in various overlapping and/orother orders without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

As described above and illustrated in the accompanying figures, thepresent disclosure relates to proximity and/or touch sensing of edges ofan electronic device. In various implementations, a combined proximityand force sensor may include first and second electrodes separated by acompressible material and an additional third electrode. The combinedproximity and force sensor may operate in a force sensing mode bydetermining an applied force based on a first change in capacitancebetween the first and second electrodes related to compression of thecompressible material. In this force sensing mode, the third electrodemay function as a force sensing ground shield. The combined proximityand force sensor may operate in a proximity sensing mode by sensingproximity of an object based on a second change in capacitance of thethird electrode. In this proximity sensing mode, the first and/or secondelectrodes may function as a proximity sensing ground shield. In thisway, components of a combined proximity and force sensor may be used todetect both touch and force by using the components to perform differentfunctions at different times.

In some implementations, an electronic device may include a touchdisplay. The touch display may include a cover glass with a cover glasssurface having a display area, a cover glass edge surface, and a cavityformed around a perimeter of the touch display. One or more capacitiveor other touch sensing electrodes may be positioned on the cover glassopposite the cover glass surface in the display area, oriented towardthe cover glass surface. The cover glass may also include an opaquematerial positioned in the cavity and one or more electrodes positionedon the opaque material, oriented toward the cover glass edge surface.The electronic device may detect touch or proximity to the cover glassedge surface based on a change in capacitance of the electrode. In thisway, touch and/or proximity to the edge of the electronic device may beutilized as input in addition to touch to the display area.

In the present disclosure, the methods disclosed may be implemented assets of instructions or software readable by a device. Further, it isunderstood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the methodsdisclosed are examples of sample approaches. In other embodiments, thespecific order or hierarchy of steps in the method can be rearrangedwhile remaining within the disclosed subject matter. The accompanyingmethod claims present elements of the various steps in a sample order,and are not necessarily meant to be limited to the specific order orhierarchy presented.

The described disclosure may be provided as a computer program product,or software, that may include a non-transitory machine-readable mediumhaving stored thereon instructions, which may be used to program acomputer system (or other electronic devices) to perform a processaccording to the present disclosure. A non-transitory machine-readablemedium includes any mechanism for storing information in a form (e.g.,software, processing application) readable by a machine (e.g., acomputer). The non-transitory machine-readable medium may take the formof, but is not limited to, a magnetic storage medium (e.g., floppydiskette, video cassette, and so on); optical storage medium (e.g.,CD-ROM); magneto-optical storage medium; read only memory (ROM); randomaccess memory (RAM); erasable programmable memory (e.g., EPROM andEEPROM); flash memory; and so on.

The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specificnomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the describedembodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art thatthe specific details are not required in order to practice the describedembodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specificembodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustrationand description. They are not targeted to be exhaustive or to limit theembodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to oneof ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations arepossible in view of the above teachings.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device, comprising: a cover glass;a first electrode; a second electrode; a first material positionedbetween the first and the second electrodes; a third electrodepositioned on a side of the second electrode opposite the firstelectrode; and a second material positioned between the second electrodeand the third electrode; wherein the electronic device is operable to:detect an applied force on the cover glass of the electronic devicebased on a first change in capacitance between the first electrode andthe second electrode while the third electrode functions as a forcesensing ground shield; detect a proximity of an object to the electronicdevice based on a second change in capacitance measured using the thirdelectrode, while the first electrode functions as a proximity groundshield.
 2. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising a fourthelectrode wherein the second change in capacitance is a change in amutual capacitance between the third electrode and the fourth electrode.3. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the fourth electrode isdisposed on at least one of: a cavity formed partially in the coverglass of the electronic device; or an input mechanism of the electronicdevice.
 4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein: the thirdelectrode comprises multiple third electrodes positioned at selectlocations around a perimeter of the cover glass of the electronicdevice; and the electronic device is operable to detect the proximity ofthe object based on changes in capacitance measured using each of themultiple third electrodes separately.
 5. The electronic device of claim1, wherein the second electrode functions as an additional proximityground shield while the electronic device measures the second change incapacitance.
 6. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronicdevice is positioned between the cover glass and a housing of theelectronic device to function as a gasket.
 7. The electronic device ofclaim 1, wherein the proximity of the object is to an input mechanism ofthe electronic device, wherein the input mechanism is adjacent to theelectronic device.
 8. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein theelectronic device measures the first and second changes in capacitanceat different times.
 9. An electronic device, comprising: a housing; acover glass positioned adjacent to the housing, the cover glassincluding: a cover glass surface having a display area; a cover glassedge surface; and a cavity formed partially in the cover glass oppositethe cover glass surface apart from the display area; a touch sensingelectrode positioned on the cover glass, opposite the cover glasssurface in the display area and oriented toward the cover glass surface;and an additional electrode positioned in the cavity, oriented towardthe cover glass edge surface; wherein: the touch sensing electrode isoperable at least to detect a touch of an object on the cover glasssurface; and a proximity of the object to the cover glass edge may bedetected by a change in capacitance measured using the additionalelectrode.
 10. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the additionalelectrode is laminated to a flexible circuit positioned in the cavity.11. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the additional electrodeis disposed on a non-conductive structure adhered to the cavity.
 12. Theelectronic device of claim 9, wherein the change in capacitance measuredusing the additional electrode is measured between the additionalelectrode and a second additional electrode positioned outside thecavity.
 13. The electronic device of claim 9, further comprising anopaque material positioned in the cavity wherein the additionalelectrode is positioned on the opaque material.
 14. The electronicdevice of claim 13, wherein the additional electrode comprises at leastone of conductive paste, sputter conductor, indium tin oxide, or metalfoil applied to the opaque material.
 15. The electronic device of claim9, wherein the additional electrode comprises multiple electrodes andthe electronic device is operable to detect proximity of the object at alocation corresponding to one of the multiple electrodes based on achange in capacitance of the respective electrode.
 16. A method ofcontrolling a combined proximity and force sensor, comprising: operatingthe combined proximity and force sensor in a force sensing mode in whichan applied force on a surface of an electronic device can be detectedbased on a first change in capacitance between a first electrode and asecond electrode of the combined proximity and force sensor while athird electrode of the combined proximity and force sensor is used as aforce sensing ground shield; operating the combined proximity and forcesensor in a proximity sensing mode in which proximity of an object tothe surface of the electronic device can be detected based on a secondchange in capacitance measured at the third electrode while the firstelectrode is used as a proximity sensing ground shield; and switchingthe combined proximity and force sensor between the proximity sensingmode and the force sensing mode.
 17. The method of claim 16, whereinsaid switching the combined proximity and force sensor between theproximity sensing mode and the force sensing mode comprises: performingcombined proximity and force sensing cycles wherein a portion of eachproximity and force sensing cycle comprises operating for a first periodof time in the force sensing mode and a second period of time in theproximity sensing mode.
 18. The method of claim 17, the first period oftime is longer than the second period of time.
 19. The method of claim16, further comprising changing a displayed element of a user interfaceof the electronic device based on at least one of a detected appliedforce or a detected proximity of the object.
 20. The method of claim 16,further comprising initiating an action based on a combination of adetected proximity of the object and a detected applied force.